“This looks like a job for Superman.”
Born on October 8, 1910 in Oxford, New Jersey, Kirk Alyn, whose real name was John Feggo, Jr., started his acting career in the 1930s working as a chorus boy on Broadway and also as a vaudeville performer. He ultimately found his way to Hollywood where he found work in films, primarily in small, uncredited parts. It wasn’t until 1948 that Alyn landed his first major role: Superman.
Superman (1948), was a fifteen part serial produced by Columbia pictures in the latter days of that genres glory years. It gave Alyn a taste of fame and led to him being cast in starring roles in other serials such as Federal Agents Vs. Underworld, Inc. and Radar Patrol Vs. Spy King. These roles would be followed up with his second most popular role as the titular character in the fifteen chapter Blackhawk, a 1952 serial based upon the DC Comic book. Alyn also reprised his role of Superman in 1950’s Atom Man Vs. Superman. With so much success in serials, Alyn found himself typecast in superhero and action roles. He struggled to find work outside of the action genre, only managing to gain bit parts and guest-starring roles in films like The Eddy Duchin Story (1956) and P.J. (1968).
Alyn continued having a difficult time finding work in the 1970s and 1980s. He did have a small role as Lois Lane’s father in the insanely popular Superman (1978) starring Christopher Reeve. He shared screen time in the film with his own Lois Lane, Noel Neill, who portrayed Lois’ mother. His final credited film role was in the 1983 horror film, Scalps.
After the release of the Christopher Reeve film, Alyn experienced a resurgence in popularity. He began attending conventions, meeting fans and signing autographs. In the late 1980s, he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. His health degraded and he passed away as a result of the disease on March 14, 1999, in The Woodlands, Texas. Alyn was married from 1942 to 1955 to fellow actress Virginia O’Brien. They had three children. He also wrote an autobiography entitled A Job For Superman that was released in 1971.
Alyn was the first person to appear in a live action film as both Superman and Blackhawk. He initially disliked how his career was affected by portraying the Big Blue Boy Scout, but as he grew older, he began to appreciate it. He also enjoyed meeting fans. He is a key player in the history of serials and comic book films and he should not be forgotten. If you’ve never watched any of his serials, I highly recommend them, especially the first Superman serial and Blackhawk.
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